Oz farmers remain headstrong
Few Australian farmers are taking up a government offer of A$150 000 to leave their drought-stricken properties with dignity. Of Australia’s 130 000 farm businesses, 99% are family-owned. As agriculture minister Peter McGauran explains, “Any decision to leave the land is a life-changing one that no farmer would rush to make. Many will put off a decision until normal conditions return.” Still, expects more than 1 000 farmers will eventually take up the offer. he exit grant was first offered in the mid-1990s and was worth A$50 000 (R301 229). This was raised to A$75 000 at the beginning of 2007 and then doubled in September. Farmers are eligible if the value of their property and other assets, minus debt, is less than A$350 000. armworkers are also affected.Since 2001 the number in rural employment has fallen by 40 554.
China acquires a taste for mutton
Chinese imports of mutton jumped 74% in October over the same time last year to 3 049t, boosted by strong demand from the food service and retail sectors. result took imports through up 17% to 37 752t. M eat and Livestock Australia says mutton hotpot – a favourite dish originally from southern China – has recently become popular. China’s imports of Australian mutton soared 85% in October to 1 716t. Its imports of New Zealand mutton jumped 66% in to 1 291t, taking its 10-month total up 25% to 24 792t.
NZ’s 2007 annual dairy report
New Zealand’s dairy exports reached a record in 2006/07 for both value and volume. Fonterra Co-operative Ltd, New Zealand’s leading dairy cooperative with a 95% share of exports, announced a milk price payout to farmers of NZ$6,40/kg milk solids (R33,40/kg), a 43,5% increase over last year’s payout. n response to the increased payout, New Zealand is expected to see a significant production increase estimated at between 4% and 6% during 2008/09 and a further estimated increase of 3% to 5% in 2009/10. – All stories by Alan Harman
